Pistons Grind Out 108–105 Win Over Suns in Gutsy Comeback
Getting healthy didn’t mean getting comfortable. The Pistons had their starters back — and still had to grind their way through a physical, chippy night.
For the first time in a while, the Pistons were essentially whole again. Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Tobias Harris, and Isaiah Stewart were all back in uniform, with only Paul Reed sidelined for personal reasons. Getting three starters and the team’s sixth man back should have made life easier.
Instead, it made things harder — at least early.
There was rust, physicality, and plenty of frustration. And yet, when it mattered most, Detroit leaned on its depth, toughness, and will to pull off a gutsy 108–105 comeback win over a dangerous Phoenix Suns team.
🏀 Stat Capsule: Pistons 108, Suns 105
Game Leaders
- Jalen Duren: 16 pts, 18 reb, 8–13 FG 🧱
- Duncan Robinson: 19 pts, 5–9 from three 🎯
- Tobias Harris: 16 pts, 5 steals, +22 🧠
- Cade Cunningham: 10 pts, 11 ast (3–16 FG)
Team Shooting
- DET: 47% FG | 28% 3PT | 62% FT
- PHX: 41% FG | 37% 3PT | 64% FT
Control Areas
- Rebounds: DET 54 | PHX 41
- Points in Paint: DET 44 | PHX 30
- Fast Break: DET 9 | PHX 15
Depth Impact
- Bench Scoring: DET 38 | PHX 22
- Double-Figure Scorers (DET): 6
A Rough Start — and a Physical One
The Suns came in ready to test Detroit’s resolve.
They were aggressive from the opening tip, clearly intent on turning the game into a grind. Dillon Brooks set the tone, stirring chaos, bumping cutters, jawing with defenders, and generally being the player you love to hate — unless he’s wearing your jersey. Brooks and Ron Holland II went at each other all night, and while Brooks eventually fouled out (to a loud ovation), he left his mark on the game.
Phoenix built a 16-point first-half lead, exploiting Detroit’s lack of rhythm and knocking down timely jumpers. Grayson Allen, in particular, was outstanding — easily the best version of him seen this season — hitting shots from everywhere and leading all scorers. It’s easy to see why Phoenix has surprised people in the West, even without Devin Booker available.
Detroit trailed after the first, second, and third quarters. Nothing came easy.
Rust from Cade, Composure from the Team
Cade Cunningham never found his shooting touch. Returning from a wrist injury, he finished 3-for-16 from the field and 0-for-7 from three, clearly fighting his timing.
But this is where this team has grown.
Cunningham didn’t force it. He stayed patient, moved the ball, and trusted his teammates. His presence alone mattered, even on an off shooting night, because the Pistons didn’t need him to be perfect — they needed him to lead.
That’s a big difference from years past.
The Frontcourt Flexes Its Muscle
While Cade struggled to score, Jalen Duren absolutely owned the glass.
Duren was relentless, vacuuming up rebounds, creating extra possessions, and imposing his will inside. His physicality changed the game and kept Detroit within striking distance when shots weren’t falling.
Isaiah Stewart, back after illness, didn’t need to score big to make an impact. His rim protection, toughness, and communication stabilized Detroit’s defense when Phoenix looked poised to pull away.
And then there was Tobias Harris.
Harris finished with 17 points, but the number only tells part of the story. His baskets came at moments when Detroit desperately needed composure — a steady hand, a calm decision, a veteran bucket. That’s exactly why he’s here, and it showed late.
The Bench Changes Everything
This was a depth win, plain and simple.
Detroit had six players score in double figures, and that balance is what eventually wore Phoenix down.
Jaden Ivey, coming off the bench, was terrific. He played with confidence, knocked down key threes, and injected life into the offense when Detroit needed it most. It was one of his more controlled, impactful performances of the season.
Duncan Robinson also delivered exactly what he was brought in to do — hitting timely threes to stop Suns runs and keep the deficit manageable. Every time Phoenix threatened to stretch the lead, Robinson answered.
By the fourth quarter, the cumulative effect was clear: Phoenix was tiring, and Detroit was just getting started.
Winning with Will
Detroit finally took control late, clamping down defensively and executing just enough offensively to complete the comeback.
This wasn’t about pretty basketball.
It was about effort, depth, and belief.
The Pistons didn’t win because everything went right — they won because they refused to fold when things went wrong.
That’s how good teams separate themselves.
The Big Picture
At 29–10, the Pistons remain first in the Eastern Conference, and wins like this explain why. On nights when the stars are rusty, the shots aren’t falling, and the opponent punches first, Detroit still finds a way.
That’s not luck.
That’s identity.
The Pistons won’t have much time to celebrate. They remain at home to host the Indiana Pacers on Saturday, January 17. It will be another test against a division rival, but if Thursday night proved anything, it’s that the road to the Eastern Conference Finals goes through Detroit.
What does it say about this Pistons team that they can win a game like this even when Cade struggles and the opponent controls the early pace? Drop a comment below or join the conversation in the Pistons Hardwood Hub — where fans break down every game, every angle.
Info gathered from team reports, pressers & trusted media outlets — the way we always do it at Mitten Sports Talk.
